Forthring

The Duchy of Forthring is centered around the city of the same name, ruled by four noble houses and a duke. Due to the recent passing of the duke, the four noble houses are vying for control along with the duke's illegitimate son.

Appearance
Forthring is a massive two tiered city that is built into the base of a mountain. The first tier is home to the markets, the inns, the taverns, and the temples to various gods. The houses of the common people are mostly directed to the northeast corner of the city, with a few of the richer citizens gaining their own private manors and becoming lesser nobility.

The second tier is housed entire by the five complexes of the ruling nobility. Each of the four houses holds a separate and very different compound, with eah maintaining their own compliment of guards and soldiers. The ducal complex is alone in being a massive and stately manor in addition to its guard quarters. The upper tier also houses the city's main barracks, allowing it a place to maintain the five hundred troops at the duchy's disposal in one location.

The Noble Houses
The four noble houses are each headed by a patriarch, or matriarch as it stands in one case. This leader becomes the representitive during meetings between the houses and presents their house's opinion on matters. Much of the city's decisions are made between compromises. The loss of the duke and the infighting his death caused has caused much of the government to slow to a crawl due to the fighting. There are also whispers coursing the streets regarding the possibility of a fifth house that was destroyed some time in the past.

List of Houses and Leaders
House Gabranthal - Leader: Celeste Nadil Gabranthal, Matriarch

House Helion - Leader: Orius Ursun Helion, Patriarch

House Tepria - Leader: Barilo Proth Tepria, Patriarch

House Bralaran - Leader: Murdoch Cae Bralaran, Patriarch

Ducal House Severin - Leader: Aiden Ixia Severin, illegitimate heir